The Smiley car sped through the city and the Joker laughed maniacally as he pushed his prized possession to the limit.

The city quickly began to look like paint being spread on a canvas, so many people had left their mark here and once again it was the Joker's turn; only this time the brainless Bat would not be able to erase the beautiful cahos he planned to make.

He watched the building blur as he searched for some sort of inspiration, but as the building passed by all he could think about was how Harley was not with him and how much he missed her laughter.

Then he looked out the windshield and the last time that he had rode with her in the Smiley car.

The night had been fun for the clown couple as they spread chaos throughout the city.

They fed off each other's energy, egging each other on as they loved to do, until the Joker saw something in his side view mirror.

"We've got company." The Joker said with a smile as he looked over at Harley.:

"Batsy,Batsy,Batsy."Harley said with a knowing smile of her own.

He loved having her by his side, how easily she complimented his egear she was to play his games, and how eager she was to stop anyone who dared to get in the way of their fun.

He laughed as she shot at Batman through the roof.

She was the only one he would allow to live after damaging his car, because she was just too cute to stay mad at when she was angry.

Then came the moment that he knew he should have paid better attention to.

He heard her apprehension as they quickly approached the water, but ignored it because they had nowhere else to go.

He knew that the Bat would save her then he would just go rescue her, from the place that the Bat took her; because the Bat was nothing but predictable.

Then suddenly she was gone as if from the face of the earth, and seemingly forever.

At first he couldn't help but laugh, after all it was about fucking time that these supers gave this game a new challange.

But the joke soon grew cold as the time without her stretched on,and soon even though he would only tell Johnny he knew that if he ever got her back he would treat her better and keep her forever.

He sped forward happy to leave the memory behind telling himself that planning to make this right meant that he could put it behind him.

Then he stopped the car and felt his body hit his seat as he saw a memory stretch out before him.

He knew no matter how fast he went there would be no escaping it, still he pushed his car forward and as he did a familiar saying entered his mind.

'What a tangled web we weave when we attempt to deceive.'

The Joker sat in the therapy room as he tried to ignore the occasional throbbing in his head, as he tried to picture what she would be like when she entered the room.

Given what he already knew about her personality he knew that she would be really torn up about what happened, which meant all he had to do was keep his anger in check and let her place the blame solely on Dr Arkharm.

The Joker hated keeping his emotions in check especially when it came to his anger, after all it was no secret that he was quick to anger and anyone that knew him well knew that to anger the Joker meant certain death.

But this time if he wanted real gratification he knew he would have to play the long game.

He watched her closely as she entered the room.

He took note of the obvious bags under her eyes, a clear sign that she had lost sleep over this, he also noticed that her eyes were red a clear sign that she had shed a few tears over this as well.

'Save your tears little fly for you have not even begun to enter my web'

"Doctor Quinnzel how nice of you to come and help me today but I must say you do not look very well at all." The Joker said as let a look of concern pass over his face.

"I'm not the one you should be concerned about, after all I'm not the one who went through electroshock."

"Don't you mean electroshock therapy?"

"There is nothing therapeutic about causing someone pain and I would give anything to take what I did back." Harleen said quickly.

"What makes you think there is anything for you to take back?"

"I held the paddles to your head!"

"Because Dr Arkham made you."

The Joker watched as a look of confusion passed over Harleen's face, and he knew he had her.

I heard everything that you said to Dr Arkham, and I knew that you stood up for me, I have to say that it was very heroic and compassionate of you."

"Yeah a lot of good it did ."

"DrArkham runs this place and that makes his word law."

"No it's wrong!"

"That may be but perhaps you could use this experience to understand my philosophy.

"I never believe that doing the right thing is pointless."

"I also believe that given the choice people will do what benefits them most even at the expense of another person."

"That's horrible!"

"That's the world when the chips are down people will eat each other, and no amount of justice will change it."

"I just can't believe that."

"Just because someone cannot accept something does not make it any less true."

Harleen jumped as the timer dinged

"Well it looks like our time is up but I will say that our session was somewhat nice." The Joker said as he leaned back in his chair as he waited for the guards to take him back to his cell.

"Wait, I need to know how you're feeling."

"I am s well as can be expected Doc no need to worry The Joker said as he watched Harlenn look at him with a worried look

Then he watched a relieved smile cross her face.

It was then that he knew that he had her,and that the game had begun, and while still at the beginning he could clearly see the end which made him laugh hysterically.

He pulled into the driveway of the safe house and pushed the button on his keyes that opened the two car garage.

He hated parking his car in such a mundane structure but there was no way he was going to leave something so precious out on the street.

He walked into the house through the side door that led to the garage and when he turned on the light he saw a thin layer of dust on his glove.

He knew that he would have a lot of cleaning to do before he brought his queen home.

He walked to the living room and growled as he saw that it was littered with beer bottles, old fast food bags, and old takeout plates.

He never had this problem when Harley lived with him because Harley had demanded that the henchmen put their trash in its proper place and that when the trashcan was full they should promptly throw it out..

He decided to leave this for now, deciding that a night's sleep in a good bed is what he needed most at the moment.

The next morning The Joker lazily sat up in his bed feeling somewhat refreshed, then he walked over to the bathroom to take a shower.

After he showreed he walked over to his walk-in closet to pick out a suit, but stopped as something gleaming caught his eye..

He walked over to the vanity that contained Harley's makeup and perfumes and in the center was a jewelry box that contained all the jewelry that The Joker had ever given her.

He looked at the jewelry knowing that he had lovingly picked each piece.

He had told himself that he was only doing this to keep Harley so that she would not question or go against him.

But deep down he loved to see her face light up when he presented his token of affection, and even though he would never admit he loved to see her draped in things that clearly told others who she belonged to.

Then he saw the first piece of jewelry that he had ever given her.

Harleen quickly walked into Arkham not bothering to stop by the breakroom to grab a cup of coffee.

She had been sick for the last week, and kicked herself for every second she was awake, and when she slept she dreamed of her of her patients who were forced to get through the days without her help

She walked to her office to see who she would have a session with today.

She saw that Pamala Isly would be first then Jarvis Tech and lastly The Joker but when she looked at his name she saw that the letters N/A were written by his name in red ink.

It was a well followed rule in Arkham that weekly therapy sessions were mandatory and the only the patients could opt out of it was if they were in the medical wing or if they had escaped and had not yet been brought back.

Her mind raced as she went about her day, the first place she went was to the medical wing and found out that none of her patients had been admitted.'

So she went to her office to recompose herself.

Harleen racked her brain trying to figure out why he would escape, she knew that this place wasn't very stimulating and she knew that a mind like the Joker's needed constant stimulation.

She had often thought that stimulating activities like painting, yoga, or Book Club would stimulate the patients minds in a positive way; that would also form a bridge for their therapy to help them deal with their trauma and find closure.

But she knew that doctor Arkham would never approve it because it went against his methods, but she knew he would use the excuse of budget cuts to dismiss it.

She met with Pamala who to her surprise actually seemed happy that she had returned and said that she was pleased to see that the stress of working in this place had not driven her to a more tame place of work.

Harllen told Pamala that she had been out sick with the flu, and Pamala expressed her sympathies which surprised Harlenn.

Pamala went on to say that she always hated it when one of her babies became sick, and that when she was on the outside she was working on a new plant species; that would be resistant to disease and drought and frigid conditions she also said that while she was on the outside she was working on a plant based serum that would give people immunity to many different diseases.

Harleen perked up at this news and began to question her about the types of plants he used and when the serum would become completed.

But Pamala's face darkened again as she turned from the window she had been facing.

"As if you mindless mammals think you deserve it when all you do is destroy the planet and yourself.

"I realize as humans we have made many environmental mistakes, but that was before we knew there was a problem.

"Ah yes you mammals and your fancy electric vehicles, your environmental treaties,, you land conservation projects, your recycling and your state parks."

"Doesn't that show that we as humans are doing our part to show the planet we care?"

"No because everyday you blacken her skies with your industrial smog, poison her water and add to the garbage island out in the ocean, and punch a hole in the ozone layer with your heating and cooling units.

We are trying to cut down on greenhouse emissions and we are working to clean the ocean, but our cooling and heating systems are essential. without them millions would die from cold and hunger.

Those are all acceptable losses to save the plant, but I know you foolish mammals won't listen so when you finally destroy yourselves my pants and I will simply take over; and I will cover your bodies with flowers, because I am not a soulless monster like some."

Harleen raised an eyebrow as she wrote down Pamala's last sentence,and wondered who she could be talking about but before she could ask the timer dinged signaling the end of their session..

Harleen walked from the room feeling dejected and a little angry.

She could not understand how Pamala could so easily cut ties with the human race when she used to be a part of it.

Her next session did not go much better because when Jervis Tetch discovered the reason for her absence, he repeatedly asked her questions about the fever dreams he knew she had; then went on to make comparisons between them and Wonderland.

Harleen quickly became frustrated when she could not get him to talk to her about anything else, but decided that it was an improvement over him spending their entire hour talking about how she would make the perfect Alice.

Eventually the hour ended and she found herself walking back to her office to do progress reports on the two sessions she had just sat through .

She thought that Pamala's serum was worth mentioning, and that she was actually bothered by her absence.

It was proof that she had established a rapport with her and even though she claimed to loathe the whole human race perhaps she could someday remember that humans can contain some good qualities.

She knew that she would her report on Jarvis would be a complete failure this report would make five, after her fourth failed report she thought about asking doctor Arkham to give her a differ

nt patient, but decided against it

thinking that he would think that she couldn't handle the job; but after she saw him for what he really was the thought of being alone with him made her stomach churn.

Harleen swallowed the bile that was trying to claw its way back up her throat as she started to work on her report for Pamala.

When she finished Pamala's report her thoughts briefly turned to the Joker, she knew that Dr Arkham would demand a reason for his breakout and if there were any signs that he was planning a breakout

She thought it over and decided that she didn't notice any, but she also knew that the Joker was a master at keeping his emotions hidden.

She wrote that he may have grown tired of the food, or maybe he missed his battles with Batman.

It wasn't much to go on but either of these could still be true.

She had just finished all three reports when the siren that signaled an incoming violent patient was entering the facility .

Harleen raced from her office and quickly caught up with two male nurses from the medical wing that were pushing a gurney.

She knew it had to be him.

It was common practice to restrain a new violent patient, and possibly sedate them if they were agitated enough.

As she passed other psychologists she also heard them whispering about the Batman she knew from the papers and from her sessions with the Joker that he was a real person but the papers and the Joker also said that he could be quite brutal in his takedowns.

Harleen did not agree with this at all especially when the person was not in the right frame of mind at the time.

She decided that she would have a talk with the Batman and hopefully he would understand that the escapes from Arkham needed to be tried with more gentleness than your average criminal.

Harleen stopped in front of the Joker who laid on the floor and was flanked by two nurses from the medical wing.

A small cry escaped Harleen's lips as she dropped to the floor and cradled the Joker's head in her arms.

"Why did you do this, why didn't you just stay here and wait for me?" Harleen asked as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"You were gone for a whole week." The Joker said as he looked up at her.

"I was sick with the flu."Harleen explained lamely as the tears came faster.

"I figured it was something like that because one thing I know you're not doctor Quinnzel is a qiuter

"You broke out to see me." Harleen said as a look of shock passed over her face.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay and bring you a get well gift, but I didn't know where you lived and I needed to pick up some money, I had managed to get you a gift which I still have; but I wanted to treat you to a nice dinner too.

I knew you would be hungry once you got better, and a woman like you deserves a good meal.

But I suppose this get well present will have to do.." The Joker said as he slipped it into Harleen's coat pocket.

Harleen slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled a sparkling ruby encrusted necklace with a gold chain.

The Joker smiled as he watched Harleen's eyes widen.

"It's made with real Gold and real Rubies."

"I can't expect this, it's too expensive."

"Please I designed it especially for you,"

"Why?"

"Because I like nice things, and I thought you would too, but I know that nice things are hard to come by on your salary. "

Harleen looked at him and was about to speak when the two male nurses that had brought the gurney started to move him.

Harleen fought to hold him close but the male nurses warned her that he might be badly injured, and they pulled him away and gently put him on the gurney.

They didn't bother with restraints because they knew that he was in no condition to fight them .

Harleen looked at his face and when she saw how bloody and broken it looked she cried even harder

He gave her a look that told her to stop crying and that everything would be okay.

Harleen wiped her eyes and watched him until he disappeared, then when she thought no one was looking she slipped the necklace back in her pocket.

"You can't keep that you and I both know he used stolen money to buy it, you should give it to me so I can put it in evidence." Batman said as he stepped out from the shadows.

"You- You did that to him, how could you?!"Harleen shouted as she made eye contact with Batman.

I did what I had to do to bring him in and save the lives of innocent citizens, thankfully none of them were hurt.

"What about the Joker and the rest of the patients here that choose to go against your ideology, do you not care about them all?!" Harleen shouted as her eyes blazed with an icy fury.

"Of course I care I would do all I could to help them, if they would only allow me but they don't instead they try to twist this city into what they perceive to be right; which I cannot allow because it would destroy countless lives.

I try to keep the damage I do to them as minimal as possible, I take no pleasure in it unlike them.

I know you disagree with my methods and if I had my way I wouldn't be needed at all, but unfortunately Dr. Qunnizel we can't have everything we want."

"I don't be;eve you, I know you enjoyed every punch you landed on the Joker!"

"You have a good heat Dr. Quinnzel but you must be careful to not let it be taken advantage of."

Then Batman turned on his heel and left the asylum.

Harleen stared at the space Batman once occupied as her fury still swirled, then she looked around and saw that everyone was looking at her with shocked looks and were muttering quietly.

Then Harleen looked to her left and saw that the Joker had still not been taken to the medical wing.

'What is he still doing here go!" Harleen shouted as she angrily motioned to Steve and Rick.

Steve and Rick quickly muttered their apologies and began to wheel The Joker to the medical wing.

The Joker looked up at the passing lights as he was Wheeled to the medical wing.

He was surprised by what had just occurred.

He knew that she would love the necklace ,and that his attempt at concern for her would be well received, but he hated how Batman yet again decided to meddle in things that were not his concern.

For a moment The Joker considered the fact that Batman had ruined another one of his plans and it infuriated him.

This was not just a plan to break him or educate the brainless citizens of Gotham, this was someone designated for his use;; and when he designated anything for his use people were expected to not even show interest in it until he was finished with it.

But he was surprised to see her stand up to Batman, he didn't know anyone who had done that other than himself and the other villains; and even though he would never say so he hated the idea of losing her.

Harleen ran to her office ignoring the people who tried to get her attention, and when she reached it she slammed the door shut and sank to the floor.

Hot tears streamed down her face as she thought about the pain that The Joker was in.

How could Batman talk like that?

He knew nothing about the pain that her patients were in, and she was sure that he never even talked to them before hurting them.

Then he would bring them back here to be patched up.

Harleen was sure that it wouldn't belong before Batman took it too far.

Harleen wiped away the rest of her tears with a handkerchief as she pulled the necklace from her pocket and put it on.

She hid it under the collar of her sweater, she was sure that no one would know she kept except for him.